Apparatus for the manufacture of roofing tiles and the like



July 13, 1954 w. D. LEA 2,683,297

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE 0F RooFING TILES AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 29. 1951 Hal.

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By v Attorneyv July 13, 1954 w. D. LEA 2,683,297

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ROOFING TILES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 29. 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 5s f 5 55 l 6 71 a@ sz sa 5 41 42 .45 us-z MF C es 4s a7110s z? z? as 7 se 29 "D 3 n 1 3 29 s 4% dgb :so e 27 96 i7 o 7() 42; 34 3.4 L l' *1 14 4 Mv, 28 35 40o ss 5s 196-6'- 51 fsa l: 11g? /s MF 'l5 40S s 9 o 45 1 7 'e 1 n as S o 0 O 0 o 0 0 o 9 9a 87 A L 48A 47 .M 8.7 I

i 57 .o6 E wry v 4" 48 s 47 m I o s 1 5 g5 2 4 3 4 Inventor `wATsa/v D.- LEA Attorney D. LEA APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE July 13, 1954 w.

0E RooFING TILES AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 29, 1951 Inventor Attorney July 13, 1954 w. D. LEA

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUEACTURE oF RooFING TILES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 29,' 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor WTHN D. EA-

Attorney l.lu|y13,19s4 w D LEA 2,683,297

APPARATUS FR THE MANUEACTURE oF EooFING TILEs AND THE LIKE Filedv Aug. 29. 1951 Inventor WATSN D. LEA` ttorney Patented `luly 13, 1954 UNITED, STATE s PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ROOFING TILES AND THE LIKE Application August 29, 1951,` Serial No. 244,183

Claims priority, application New Zealand September 5, 1950 14 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for the manufacture of roofing tiles or like articles from cementitious and other plastic and setting materials which can be treated and worked to ribbon formation preparatory to setting.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for the manufacture of roofing tiles or like articles, and more particularly to provide thereon head checks, the articles being formed from a ribbon-like formation of a setting material and in a continuous operation with economy and eiciency, and with human effort required to operate the improved apparatus reduced toa minimum.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for the manufacture of rooiing tiles or like articles wherein a conveyor presents setting material to a sequence of operationsincluding the formation of head checks without leaving extraneous material which would be detrimental to the apparatus by fouling the parts thereof, and so that individual tiles or like articles are delivered from the apparatus.

In this specification, the expression head checks means the raised portion made at one end of a tile to form a weather strip which is intended to prevent water being blown back over a tile while in a roof construction; and further head check in the art is synonymous with head lock.

According to one aspect of this invention, the improved apparatus for the manufacture of roofing tiles or like articles from setting material comprises means for supporting and conveying setting material to be formed into the required article, a main frame reciprocatably mounted and operable in relation to the supporting means, a cradle reciprocatably mounted and operable in the main frame, stop means carried by the cradle, and means reciprocatable in the cradle to form a head check in the setting material as such head check means are operated in conjunction with the stop means.

According to another aspect of the invention, the improved apparatus for the manufacture of tiles or like articles comprises means for supporting and conveying setting material to be formed into the required article, a main frame reciprocatably mounted in relation to the supporting and conveying means, a cradle mounted for longitudinal reciprocating movement in the main frame, a screed and stop means carried by the cradle and adjustable to effect desired screeding of the setting material, means mounted for vertical reciprocating movement in the cradle and operable in conjunction with the screed and stop means to form a head check in the setting material, means for adjusting the head check forming means in relation to the supporting and vconveying means, means for moving the main frame to a forward position and at the same time carrying the cradle forwardly, means for returning the main frame to a rear position according to the length of the article to be formed from the setting material, means for moving the cradle rearwardly as the main frame is advanced forwardly and means for returning the cradle to its forward position in the main frame.

According to a still further aspect of this invention, the improved apparatus for the manufacture of tiles or like articles, comprises a conveyor adapted to support pallets carrying setting material to be formed into the required articles as the conveyor carries the setting material forwardly, a main frame reciprocatably mounted above the conveyor, means for moving the main frame forwardly with the conveyor and then rearwardly, a screed bar mounted at the rear end of the main frame and arranged to screed the setting material while supported by the conveyor and as the main frame moves over the conveyor, a cradle reciprocatably mounted withing the main frame, a screed and stop member arranged in and movable with the cradle and adjustable in relation to the conveyor, a head check forming knife and die held by a carrier which is mounted in the cradle and is movable lengthwise with the latter, means for reciprocating said carrier vertically in the cradle, means for reciprocating the forming knife and die transversely in the carrier, a blade carried by the cradle and spaced from the forming knife, a stop bar constituting a backing for the blade, slots in the forming knife to enable excess of setting material to escape during the formation of a head check between the knife, die and blade, means for moving the cradle to a forward position in the main frame, .means for moving the cradle to a rearward position in the main frame aesazev during the moulding of a head check, severing means situated at the forward end of the main frame, means for operating the severing means and at least one adjustable stop situated to the rear of the main frame to halt the return movement of the main frame according to the desired length of the article to be made.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference is now made to the acompanying drawings which illustratev one form of the improved apparatus for making roofing tiles, as well as a tile produced with the aid ofl the apparatus. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan View of the tile;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line III- III of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the improved apparatus used for making tiles of the form illustrated in Figures 1 to 3;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line V-V of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an end view of the apparatus looking in the direction of the arrow VI in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective View of a head check forming knife and die assembly; l

Figure 8 is an elevational view of la blade assembly adapted to co-operate with the assembly of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a perspective View of a stop bar and screed assembly adapted to co-operate with the assemblies of Figures 7 and 8;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a severing knife assembly;

Figure 11 is a face Vview of the screed bar assembly for optional use in the apparatus;

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional View on the line XII-XH of Figure 1l;

Figures 13, 14 and 15 are diagrammatic sectional views serving to demonstrate progressively how the head check is formed with the aid of the assemblies illustrated in Figures 7 to 9, and

Figures 1'6 and 17 are, respectively, a fragmentary cross-sectional view and a fragmentary side elevational View Vshowing means employed for moving the main frame in one direction of its reciprocation.

Figures 7 to 12, 16 and 17 are drawn to an enlarged scale compared with Figures 4 to 6.

In Figures l to 3 of the drawings the tile is generally indicated at T. The configuration of the underface of the tile, including the provision of downwardly protruding nibs N at one end and downwardly protruding keys K near the opposite end, is determined entirely by the shape of a pallet to which setting material from which the tile is made issupplied. The cross sectional profile of the main part of the upper surface of the tile is determined by the application of shaping screeds or rollers to the setting material on the pallet. At the` end opposite the nibs vN the upper surface of the tile is formed with a head check HC with which co-operates the nibs N of another tile of like construction when lthis tile is overlappingly engaged with the first tile.

The apparatus for making tiles of the form shown in Figures 1 to 3 is illustrated in Figures 4 to 12. The apparatus comprises an endless conveyor having an upper run and a return lower run, the conveyor being driven from a suitable source of power. For the sake of simplicity the conveyor is not fully illustrated in the drawings, nor are its driving means shown. However, a section of the upper run of the conveyor is illustrated in Figure 6 and it will be noted from this gure that the conveyor is made up of spaced side chains I, selected links of one chain being joined to the corresponding links of the other chain by means of rods 2. The upper run of the conveyor moves in the direction of the arrow d in Figure 5 and in this run the chains are supported by guideways 3 (Figure 6) carried by a sub-frame 4.

The upper run of the `ccnveyor is adapted to support pallets 5 which are shaped to give the desired configuration to the undersurface of the tiles and are placed, end-to-end, on the upper run of the conveyor at a loading point (not shown) andare thensupplied with setting material in any suitable manner so that the pallets together support a continuous ribbon of the setting material which is moved by the upper run of the conveyor to a discharging point. As the upper run of the conveyor moves along, the ribbon is subjected tothe action of instrumentalities such as screeds or rollers which act to smooth 01T the exposed upper surface of the setting material and to `give lthis surface the desired preliminary crosssectional conguration. As the loading of the pallets to form the ribbon, and the preliminary treatment of the upper surface of the ribbon, form no essential part of fthe present invention', the means employed'for'carrying outthese operations are not illustrated in the drawings.

Alongside'part of the'upper *runY of the conveyor and between the loading and kdischarge ends thereof, there are provided rails 6 which support a main frame which is generally indicated at MF and is adapted to be reciprocated longitudinally so that it moves in the direction of travel of the upper run of the conveyorV and then in the 0pposite direction; the amplitude of movement of the main frame in either direction being a little greater than the lengthof each tile to .be formed, but less than the length of the vupper run of the conveyor. This main frame comprises side members I the lower edges of which are shaped to fit slidably'on the rails E and which are joined by transverse rod 8. The main frame MFv is moved forwardly, that is to say, inthe direction of'travel of the upper run of the conveyor, at the same linear speed as the latter. For this purpose, levers or pivoted arms I I i (Figures 16 and 17) are provided on the main frame for co-operation with projections H2 provided at intervals along the conveyor, the arrangement being such that when the main frame is 'in its rearward position the projections I I2Y on the upper run of the conveyor will yengage with the levers or arms III on the main frame so as to move the main frame to its forward position, cam plates I I3 being provided on the sub-frame 4 for then disengaging the levers or arms I I I from the projections I I 2.

For moving the main frame in the opposite direction, that is to say, counter to the direction of movement of theupper run of the conveyor, there are provided single acting air-operated rams 9 which are suitably/ supported by brackets 9' on the sub-frame 4 and the piston rods I0 of which (Figure 4) `engage with trunnion'pens I I' vprojecting from the side members 1. Movement of the main frame in the rearward' direction is limited by the provision on the rear end of the side members l of buffers I2 adapted to engage with adjustable stops I3 carried by brackets I4 secured to the sub-frame 4.

Oil cups I5 are provided for supplying lubricant to the running surfaces between the rails 6 and the side members 'I ofthe main frame MF, and similar oil cups I6 are provided vfor supplying lubricant to the interiors of the cylinders of the air-operated rams 9.

' Flow of compressed air to the rams 9 is controlled by a control device I1 (Figure 4) which is brought into operation by movement of the main frame when the latter is near its extreme forward position. It will be understood that when the main frame is at the end of its forward movement, the piston rods I0 of the rams 9, being then in their fully retracted positions, will themselves act as stops.

As illustrated in Figures 1l and l2 the rear end of the main frame MF may be fitted with a transversely disposed bar I8 carrying a screed I9 whose lower edge is shaped to conform to the crosssectional shape already given to the upper surface of the ribbon of setting material as the result of the preliminary screeding or rolling treatment already mentioned. The air operated rams 9 act to return the main frame rapidly to its rearward position and during this stroke, the screed I9 applies a fast trowelling action to the upper surface of the ribbon of setting material and acts to give this surface a smooth and welldened finish.

As illustrated, the bar I8 is mounted for vertical adjustment, for which purpose it is formed with lugs 2G having screw-threaded holes in which engage set-screws 2I which bear on lugs 22 provided on the side members, each end of the bar I8 being engaged between a xed plate 23 and an adjustable clamping plate 24. The screed i9 is itself adjustable transversely of the main frame, by being secured to the bar I 8 by means of bolts 25 which pass through horizontally disposed slots 2S in the screed.

The interior face of each side member 'I is provided with a pair of ribs 2'I extending longitudinally of the main frame MF and in parallelism with one another. These ribs support and act as guides for a cradle generally indicated at C and comprising side blocks 29 (Figure 4) engaged slidably with the ribs 2l and joined by transverse members 29.

The cradle C is adapted to be reciprocated relatively to the main frame MF, and to impart such reciprocating movement the side members of the main frame rotatably support a transversely disposed shaft 3E provided with eccentrics `3l around which are ntted straps 32 having arms 33 secured to a shaft 34 which is journalled for rotation in bearing blocks 35 secured to one of the transverse members 29 of the cradle C. It will be seen that, with this arrangement, when the shaft 3d is rocked, the straps 32 and their -arms 33 will cause the shaft 34 to move iirst away and then towards the shaft so that the cradle C will thus be reciprocated relatively to the main frame MF.

For rocking the shaft 39 one end portion thereof extends beyond the outer face of one of the side members 'i and is fitted with a rod 36 (Figure fi) which extends downwardly at an angle and engages slidably in a tumbler block 3'! which is pivotally secured in a vertically adjustable Amanner to a bracket 38 suitably supported from the sub-frame 4. Thus, when the main frame MF is reciprocated, the rod 36 will be swung toand-fro about the point of pivotal connection of the block 3? with thebracket 38, such swinging movement causing the shaft 3e to be rocked. The -amplitude of swinging movement of the lrod can be varied by adjusting the vertical position of the tumbler block 3l in the bracket 38.

The cradle C carries means acting to form' head checks at intervals along the ribbon of setting material as this is moved forwardly by the upper run of the-conveyor. The distance between one head check and another represents substantially the length of a tile which corresponds to the length of a pallet, each head check being so positioned that it is produced at one end of each tile. It is characteristic of the apparatus illustrated that it acts to form the head checks in situ and not by the known expedient of cutting oif portions of the ribbon of setting material between adjacent ends of the pallets and then lifting and superimposing these portions upon the upper surface of the ribbon so as to provide transversely disposed ribs constituting the head checks.

In conformity with what has just been stated, the inner faces of the side blocks 28 of the cradle C are formed with vertically disposed slots 39 (Figure 4) in which slidably nt the depending arms (Figure 7) of an inverted U-shaped carrier plate 4I. A shaft 42 is secured between the arms 49 and upon this shaft there is mounted for sliding movement a holder 43 to which is secured a downwardly extending knife 44. For purposes to be described the lower edge of the knife holder 43 is formed as a die 45 while the lower edge of the knife 44 is formed with slots 46.y Tension springs 4l are connected to the knife holder 43 and to brackets 48 (Figure 4) secured to one of the transverse members 29 of the cradle C, such springs tending to pull the knife holder and the knife t4 to one side cf the vertical in opposition to the direction of movement of the ribbon of setting material. An adjustable eccentrically mounted roller 49 supported from the carrier plate 4I bears on a lus,` 5E secured to the knife holder i3 and limits the amount by which the knife holder can be pulled to one side by the springs 47.

The plate 4I carrying the knife holder 43 and knife 54 is adapted to be raised and lowered in the slots 3i) by means of an air-operated ram 5I mounted on a saddle plate 52 the depending arms of which are secured to the transverse members 29 of the cradle C. The piston rod 53 of the arm 5I extends upwardly and is connected to a cross-head 54 to which is secured depending rods 55 connected to the plate 4I. The rods 55 are secured in an adjustable manner to the cross-head 54 so that the initial setting of the plate 4I in the vertical sense may be varied according to requirements. Supply of air to the ram 5I to lower the plate di is controlled by a control device 56 (Figure 4) while supply of air to the ram to raise the plate is controlled by a control device 57, the two control devices being actuated in timed sequence as the result of reciprocation of the main frame MF.

The knife holder 43 with its knife 44 is adapted to. be reciprocated along the shaft 42 by means of an air motor 53 which is mounted on a plate 59 secured to the plate di. The shaft of the motor is fitted with an eccentric 5 to which is connected a rod 6I which, in turn is pivotally connected to the knife holder 43, the connecting rod 6I being adjustable for length. Supply of air to the motor 58 is controlled by a control device 52 (Figure 4) suitably supported on the sub-frame 4 and actuated by movement of the main frame MF. To the rear of the slots 39 in the inner faces of the side blocks 28 of the cradle C there are provided vertically disposed slots S3 in which slidably nt the depending arms 64 (Figure 8) of. an inverted U-shaped carrier plate 65. A bar 56 is secured tothe plate 65 by means of bolts 6l which passes through slots 63 formed in the bar and extending longitudinally thereof, the bolts being engaged on the plate E5. To the bar 85 `there is secured a pair of depending arms Si) to `The slots 88 permit the bar SS to be adjusted transversely of the cradle C with consequent transverse adjustment of the blade.

The plate E35 is adapted to be raised and lowered in the slots 63 in unison with the plate 4I so that the blade lil and knife move upwardly and downwardly together. To this end, there are secured to the plate 65 upwardly extending rods ll whose upper ends are connected to the cross-head 54, which is operated by the rain l. As with the rods 55, .the connections between the rods ll and the cross-head Sli are adiustable so that the initial setting of the suction blade l@ in the vertical sense may be varied.

To the rear of the slots E3 in the inner faces of the blocks 2% of the cradle C there are provided vertically disposed slots 'i2 (Figure 4) in which fit tongues 'i3 (Figure 9) formed on an inverted U-shaped plate 14. To the depending arms 'i5 of this plate there are secured stubs 'Z6 which engage in the ends of a sleeve 'll forming part of .a depending bracket l, the sleeve being secured to the stubs l by means of nuts le. To the lower end of the bracket 'i3 there is secured an angle member Si! to the underiace of which is secured a combined screed and stop bar di which constitutes a control member and whose lower surface is formed as a screed by being profiled to agree with the cross-sectional profile of the upper surface of the ribbon of setting material. To the ends of the screed and stop bar Si there are secured depending finger-pieces t2 which engage with the side edges of the ribbon of setting material and act as trimmers for these edges. One of the longitudinal edges of the screed and stop bar 8| is formed with an upstanding lip` S3, the outer vertical face of which bears against the blade l0, Engagement between these two parts is maintained by means of a set screw 34 (Figure 5) which is threaded through one of the depending arms of the saddle plate 5E bears on the angle member 86.

During operation of the apparatus, no vertical movement is imparted to the assembly comprised by the plate 'ill and the parts carried by it, relatively to the cradle C, but the assembly merely moves with the cradle. However, to permit the profiled lower surface of the screed and stop bar 8l to be correctly positioned with respect to the upper surface of the ribbon of setting material, the plate 'ill is provided with brackets 25 carrying set screws SB which bear on the upper edge of one of the transverse members i9 of t e cradle.

Means are provided at the forward end of the main frame for applying severing cuts to the ribbon of setting material after fori-nation of the head locks so as to inally divide the ribbon into sections each representing a complete tile supported by a pallet. To this end, plates @l are secured to the inner faces of the side members 'l of the main frame, the plates being arranged at the forward ends or the side members. The said plates are formed with vertically disposed slots 88 (Figure e) in which slidably engage the depending arms 69 (Figures 6 and 10) of an inverted U-shaped carrier plate 9B. A shaft 9i eX- tends between and is secured to the arms 38 and around this shaft there is rotatably engaged bushes 92 forming part of a depending bracket y93, the bushes being restrained against sliding movement along the shaft 9i vby collars ad secured to the shaft. A knife 35 is secured to the bracket 93, the lower edge of the knife being profiled to agree with the cross-sectional profile of the under surface of the ribbon of setting material as defined by the upper surface of the pallets. The ends of the knife are provided with side pieces 95 which act to give corner finishes at the ends of each section representing a tile.

Around the shaft Si there is also rotatably engaged bushes Si forming part of a depending bracket 98, the bushes being restrained against movement along the shaft by collars 39. To the bracket 58 there is secured a blade l which is spaced from the knife 95 to an extent corresponding to the thickness ofthe finished head check and determined by contact of the inner ends of set screws ll which pass through the bracket 93 and engage with the bracket 98. The lower edge of the blade Hill is higher than the lower edge of the knife 95 and is profiled to agree with the cross-sectional profile of the upper surface of the ribbon of setting material.

The knife SS is pulled towards the blade Hill so that the inner ends of the set screws lill are maintained in Contact with the bracket Sil, by tension springs EQ2 which are connected to the bracket 955 and are anchored to the side checks l of the main frame MF. As the bracket S8 carrying the blade lill) is mounted for rotation about the shaft Si l, pressure of the set screws ll on the bracket S8 under the effect of the springs i6? will tend to tilt the blade ill to one side of the vertical. To restrain the blade against such tilting, there is provided an adjustable eccentrically mounted roller |93 which is supported from the plate si! and bears on a lug Hifi provided on the bracket 9S. By adjusting the eccentricity of the roller $93 relatively to the lug l2, the blade Elli) can be exactly positioned with respect to the vertical, such adjustment resulting in corresponding adjustment of the knife 95.

The plate 9i] carrying the knife S5 and blade Hifi is adapted to be raised and lowered in the slots 51d by means of an air-operated ram E65 the cylinder of which is carried by a bridge piece EES extending between and adjustably connected to the side members l of the main frame MF, while the piston rod icl of the rain is connected to the plate gli. Guide rods lili carried by brackets ille secured to the plate 9d pass slidably through holes in the bridge piece 66.

The ram S05 is single acting, compressed air being supplied at the top of the cylinder for depressing the piston rod lill which is normally maintained in a retracted position by a spring (not shown) arranged within the cylinder and acting on the ram` piston so as to press the latter in an upward direction. Under these conditions, when compressed air is not supplied to the cylinder the said spring will automatically act to keep the plate dii and the parts carried by it in an elevated position.

Supply of compressed air to the ram H35 is controlled by a control device ilil (Figure d) which is suitably supported from the sub-frame 4 and is actuated by reciprocation of the main frame MF'.

The apparatus ydescribed operates as follows:

A continuous ribbon of the setting material supported on the pallets which are, in turn, supported on the upper run of the conveyor i, 2 moves at a constant speed beneath thev main frame MF, the upper surface of the ribbon having been previously treated to give it the desired preliminary cross-sectional profile. Initially the main frame is in its rearmost position, the amplitude of its movement to the foremost position corresponding to the length of each tile to be formed from the ribbon of setting material.

As the upper run of the conveyor moves along,

' theprojections H2 on the conveyor engage with the levers or arms Ill of the main frame MF- so that the latter is driven forwardly at the same linear speed as the ribbon of setting material. After the main frame has been driven forwardly for a short distance, the ram '5I is operated to lower the plates 4| and in their slots 39 and 63 respectively, the result'being that the knife 44 will cut into the ribbon of setting material while the blade 'l will descend so that its lower edge will engage with or lie close to the upper surface of the ribbon. Descent of the knife 44 will cause the die 45 on the knife holder 43 to come into a position defining the upper edge of the head check to be formed. Simultaneously with descent of the knife 44 and blade 1B, or slightly before commencement of the descent, the air motor 58 is operated to cause the knife 44 and die 45 to reciprocate transversely of the cradle C. Alsov simultaneously with descent of the knife 44 into the ribbon of setting material, the shaft is rotated in a clockwise direction causing the cradle C to execute a rearward movement relatively to the forwardl movement of the mainv knife 44, die and blade 'i6 to form a head check which is situated at the upper surface of the ribbon and is in situ with the remainder of ther ribbon,

While the blade 10 is in lowered position the screed and stop bar 8l acts as a backing for the blade, preventing displacement of the blade as the result of accumulation of part of the setting material in the process of forming the head check.

When the head check has been formed, the

ram 5| is operated to raise the plates 4i and in their slots 39 and B3 so that the knife 44 and blade 'lli willbe correspondingly raised and returned to their initial elevated positions. During such return movement, the air motor 58 will continue to operate to cause the knife 44 and die 45 to reciprocate transversely of the cradle C, the motor ceasing to function when the knife has completed its ascent or immediately thereafter. f

It will be understood that during the time the head check is being formed in the manner described, the main frame MF is continuing to move with the upper run of the conveyor towards its foremost position. As the main frame approaches its foremost position, air is supplied to the ram |05 to cause the knife 95 to descend and cut through the ribbon of setting material between adjacent pallets, whereupon the supply of air to the ram is cut off and the spring-pressed piston rod I 01 returns to its original retracted position and so causes the knife to be restored to its original elevated position.' The severing cut is made against the outer end face of a previously. formed head check so that the cut defines the head check end of one tile and the opposite end of the preceding tile. During the severing operation the blade |00 which moves with the knife 95 acts as a backing for the inner face of the head check, and the main frameV continues to move towards its foremost position so that no damage is caused to the head check during the severing step.

By the time the severing knife 95 and blade I have returned to their initial elevated positions, the main frame will have arrived almost at its foremost position. In its final phase of forward movement the main frame operates the control device l'l so that the rams 9 are then supplied with air to cause the piston rods l) to exert pressure upon the trunnion pins Il projecting from the side members I of the main frame, such pressure resulting in the main frame being returned to its rearmostv position, whereupon the supply;

y; rearmost position, the ribbon of setting material with a head check formed thereon, will have` advanced. Hence, by the time the main frame has approached the limit of its forward movement (during which time another head check will have i been formed) the previously formed head check will have arrived at the correct position for application of the severing step on the ribbon.

It will be understood that during the forward movement of the main frame, the trunnion pins Il thereon will act upon the piston rods I0 t0 return the latter to their retracted positions in the cylinders of the rams 9.

Transverse reciprocation of the head check forming knife 44 and die 45 serves the purpose of encouraging clean movement of the part of -the ribbon of setting material used to form the head check. Such reciprocation also results in a trowelling action being applied to the top and outer end face of the head check so that these parts of the head check are well shaped. Furthermore, the reciprocation enables the knife 44 and die 45 to be raised from the formed head check without causing damage to the latter. The raising of the blade l0 which defines the inner vertical face of the formed head check, acts to promote a clean formation of this face. It is conceivablethat the blade 'Iii could be dispensed with, in which case the inner vertical face of the head check would be defined by a face of the screed and stop bar 8l. In that case, however, a clean finish to the inner Vertical face of the head check might not be secured as the stop bar does not move vertically in the cradle C and there would thus be a tendency for part of the setting material in the head check to stick to the bar when the head check leaves it.

The purpose of the slots 46 in the head check forming knife 44 is to reject any surplus material once the head check has been formed, and to improve the trowelling effect on the outer end face of the head check during reciproca-tion `of the knife.

The springs A1 attached to the holder d3 of the knife dii serve the purpose of permitting the knife to swing in the direc' ion of movement of the ribbon of setting material should theknife come into contact with any hard vbody in the setting material while it is in head check forming position.

IThe springs B32 attached to the bracket 93 carrying the severing knife 95, not only act normallyto maintain the distance between the knife Q5 and the blade Iiiil, but they also allow the knife to swing in the direction of movement of the ribbon of setting material for the same purpose as that explained with reference to the springs 41.

In apparatus constructed in accordance with the embodiment of the invention as described and illustrated, all movements necessary for the formation of the head checks of tiles are` recti linear. 'rence, it is not necessary to resort to complicated mechanical movements. `For the formation of the head checks use is made of part of the material contained in the ribbon, so that it is unnecessary to provide for a separate supply for the purpose. .The head checksare formed in situ, that is. to say, no part of the material of the ribbon is .first severed from'the remainder, transferred to another position and th en applied to the remaining material. Thus, the head checks are homogenous with the remainn ing parts of the tiles, ensuring strength andsolidarity.

What I do claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent of the United States of .America is:

i. Apparatus for the manufacture of roofing tiles or like articles from setting material, cornprising a conveyor adapted to support pallets carrying setting material to be 'formed into the required articles as the conveyor carries the setting material forwardly, a main frame reciprocatably mounted above the conveyor, means for moving the main frame forwardly with the conveyor and then rearwardly, a screed bar mounted at the rear end of the main frame and arranged to screed the vsett-ing material while supported by the conveyor and as themain frame moves over the conveyor, a cradle horizontally reciprocatably mounted within the main frame, a screed and stop member arranged in and movable with the cradle and adjustable in relation to the conveyor, a head check forming knife and die held by carrier which is mounted .in the cradle and is movable lengthwise with the latter, mea-ns for reciprocating the said carrier vertically the cradle, means for reciprocating the forming knife and die transversely in the carrier, a blade carried by the cradle and spaced from the forming knife, a stop bar constituting a backing for the blade, slots in the forming knife to enable excess of setting material to escape d iring the formation of a head check between the knife, die and blade. means for moving the cradle to a forward position in the main frame, and means for moving the cradle to a rearward position in the main frame during the moulding oi a head check, severing means situated at the forward end of the main frame, means for op erating the severing means and at least one adjustable stop situated to the rear of the main frame to halt the return movement of the main frame according to the desires length er the article being made.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim l,

wherein the cradle is carried by and supported for longitudinal reciprocating movement in the main frame, and wherein the main frame carries a rotatable shaft tted with at least one eccentric having a strap connected to the cradle, means being provided for rotating the shaft in one direction while the main frame moves forwardly and for rotating the shaft in the opposite direction while the main frame moves rearwardly.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein the said shaft sprovided with an arm slidably engaged ina tumbler block carried by a stationary sub-frame.

4. `Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein the head check forming means comprise a carrierplate mounted for vertical sliding movement in slots formed in the end blocks of the cradle, the said plate carrying a transversely disposed shaft upon which is slidably mounted a holder carrying a knife, means being provided for raising and lowering the plate to cause corresponding movement of the knife.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein said knife holder is formed to provide said die.

6. Apparatus in accordancewith claim 5, inciuding means for reciprocating the knife holder on theshaft to cause a corresponding reciprocatory movement to be applied to the knife and die.

'7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein the head checkk forming means also comprise a carrier plate mounted for vertical sliding movement in slots formed in the side blocks of the cradle, said plate supporting a suction blade, and means being provided for raising and lowering the plate to cause corresponding movement of the suction blade.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, ccm prising means for raising and lowering the knife and suction blade in unison.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the head check forming means also comprise Va'carrier plate supported by the si le blocks of .the cradle and carrying a stop bar.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein the stop bar is shaped to form a screed for the upper surface of the ribbon of setting material.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein kthe stop bar acts as a backing for the blade.

l2. Apparatus in accordance with claim il. wherein means are provided at the forward end of the main frame for applying severing cuts periodically to the ribbon of setting material, said cuts defining the ends of the article to be produced from the ribbon.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein said severing means compi e a carrier plate which is guided for vertical sliding moven ment in the main frame, said plate supporting a severing knife, spring means for raising the carrier plate, a ram on the main frame for lowering the carrier plate, kand a blade supported by the carrier plate spaced from the severing knife.

le. In apparatus for manufacturing roofing tiles, wherein a ribbon of material, while being conveyed in a plastic state on conveying means, is formed into a succession of tiles with head checks formed thereon, by upsetting a portion the said material, a main frame, means for reciprocating the same longitudinally of the ccnveying means, a cradle carried .by the main fra-me, means for reciprocating said cradie longitudinally relatively to the said main frame, a

13 control member carried by the cradle for limting the upsetting of the material adjacent to the head check during formation of the latter, the control member being disposed above the surface of the ribbon of material, a retractable knife carried by the cradle, and means for depressing the knife into the ribbon of the material ahead of the control member, movement of the cradle carrying the said knife and the control member in the reverse direction to the direction of travel of the ribbon, resulting in the knife causing upsetting ofV the material between the knife and the controlv member, means also carried by the cradle and associated with the knife being provided to define the extent of upsetting to form the head check.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 943,971 Hackett Dec. 21, 1909 1,132,264 Hellyar et al. Mar. 16, 1915 1,604,107 Tackett Oct. 19, 1926 1,619,489 Schwarz et al. Mar. 1, 1927 1,619,490 Schwarz Mar. 1, 1927 1,973,092 Mooney Sept. 11, 1934 2,577,275 Samson et a1 Dec. 1, 1951 

